Sunderland prop maker creates more than 100 ear savers for NHS staff at city hospital

Jayne Hall and mum Ethel have made 115 ear savers to help staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital as they tend to patients during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The ear savers, which Jayne and Ethel have made from buttons and rainbow elastic, can be attached to the back or surgical masks, making them more comfortable for long-term wear.

And the mother and daughter hope the creations will give some relief to the health heroes on the front line, who have to don masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for long hours.

The ear savers have been dropped off at Sunderland Royal Hospital’s A&E department for use.

Jayne added: “My partner Rebecca is a care worker and I've got some friends who are nurses so I know how tough it is for them at the moment and every key worker, so anything we can do to help in any little way goes further than we think.”

Jayne, who has worked as a prop maker for around eight years, and Rebecca were due to get married this month – but the wedding is now postponed until September.

Mum Ethel is in a high-risk category so is in a period of self-isolation – but the women have been happy to be together and have “plenty time” to make the ear savers for the NHS.

The pair are now appealing for spare elastic and buttons so they can make more.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.